Hamid Ansari is the second choice of Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee told reporters. She however did not comment on the candidate the Trinamool Congress would support. This puts to end weeks of speculation regarding the Congress' choice for the Presidential canditate.

The West Bengal Chief Minister had earlier said that her demand for a three-year moratorium on payment of interest on central loans was not linked to her party's support to the UPA nominee in the Presidential polls.

"No, no, no. Support (to UPA in Presidential polls) is not linked to financial package to the state. Both are two different things," she told reporters before meeting UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to discuss the ruling alliance's candidate in the July 19 Presidential elections.

Banerjee dismissed reports that West Bengal was seeking a financial package in return for Trinamool Congress' support to the UPA nominee in the Presidential polls.

"Whenever I come to Delhi, these kind of rumours and gossips are planted by some quarters. These are plantations. Plantations not of trees but plantation of rumours," she said.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said his party will firm up its position on the issue of Presidential elections after holding discussions with Mamata Banerjee.

"Mamata Banerjee had come to me yesterday. However, I will not disclose what we discussed," said Yadav, whose party's support will be crucial for election of the next President.

He said he would reciprocate Banerjee's gesture by discussing the issue of Presidenial elections with her before his party decides on whom to support.

Yadav's remarks came a day after Banerjee said that she would talk to the SP leader again after meeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi this evening on the issue of UPA's Presidential candidate.